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Electricity is an integral part of our lives, and that’s not just when we flip a switch. The minute electric currents in your body are what allow you to feel, think and move. Have you ever felt a tiny shock during a handshake? That is because of static electricity, which we are all capable of producing!
In fact, there have been recent breakthroughs which could allow us to charge phones with static electricity, which could make carrying around power banks around a thing of the past.
But static electricity isn’t just for practical use, it can be pretty fun too!
Here are 6 static electricity experiments you can carry out in the comfort of your home to witness the power of static electricity first-hand!
While they are nothing too difficult, do conduct them in a wide-open space with an adult’s supervision. Always stay safe!
1.Flying Plastic Bag
1.Flying Plastic Bag
Remember how the Harry Potter cast levitated their feathers using the ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ charm? Now you can too with the power of static electricity!
What you will need:
a plastic rod
a piece of cloth
a light plastic bag
Steps:
Rub the surface of the rod with the cloth for 40 seconds
Flatten the plastic bag and rub the cloth against its surface for 40 seconds
Release the plastic bag and watch it levitate as you wave the rod below
How it works: (Hint: It’s not magic!)
The rod and cloth gain become negatively charged after you rub them with a cloth. As like charges repel, the plastic bag appears to repel.
2. Roll A Can With Static electricity
2. Roll A Can With Static electricity
With static electricity, you can even make a can roll around without actually touching it!
What you will need:
an empty can
a plastic rod
a piece of cloth
Steps:
Rub the surface of the rod with the cloth for 40 seconds
Place the can on a flat and smooth surface
Hold the cloth close to the can without touching it and watch as it follows the movement of the rod!
How it works:
Rubbing the rod with the cloth creates static electricity. The rod, which has gained electrons, becomes negatively charges. Hence the can, which is positively charged, is attracted to it as opposites attract.
3.Hair Standing With Static Electricity
3.Hair Standing With Static Electricity
Have you ever gotten frizzy, fly-away hair during a plane ride? Well, you can now create the same effect with a balloon!
What you will need:
an inflated balloon
a piece of cloth
Steps:
Rub the surface of the balloon with the cloth for 40 seconds
Hold the balloon a short distance above your head and watch your hair stick to it!
How it works:
The balloon gains electrons from the cloth and becomes negatively-charged, so it attracts your hair, which is positively-charged in comparison.
4.Separating Salt and Pepper
4.Separating Salt and Pepper
If salt and pepper chips don’t suit your fancy, why not run a static electricity experiment to separate those seasonings!
What you will need:
a plastic spoon
salt
pepper
a piece of cloth
Steps:
Mix a teaspoon each of salt and pepper thoroughly
Rub the spoon with the cloth for 40 seconds
Hold the spoon over the mixture. The pepper will jump up and stick to the spoon (if you hold the spoon over the right spots)
How it works:
Both the salt and pepper granules are positively charged. The spoon, which has gained electrons from the cloth, attracts positive charges in the mixture. But the pepper, which is lighter, will jump up more easily and stick to the spoon.
5.Waterbending With The Power Of Static Electricity
5.Waterbending With The Power Of Static Electricity
In the movie ‘The Last Airbender’, The Water Tribe who learned water-bending by observing the tidal force exerted by the moon, you now can do the same with static electricity!
What you will need:
a plastic rod
a piece of cloth
running water
Steps:
Rub the surface of the rod with the cloth for 40 seconds
Turn the tap on so there is a steady stream of water
Put the rod near the water and watch it ‘bend’
How it works:
When the negatively-charged rod approaches the water, it repels the electrons in the water. This gives the water nearest to the rod a positive charge. The attraction between this positive charge and the negatively charged comb asserts a net force on the water. This allows you to ‘bend ’water.
6.Hovering Plates
6.Hovering Plates
Magnets aren’t the only things that repel each other.
What you will need:
A piece of cloth
2 Styrofoam plates
Steps:
Rub the base of a plate with the cloth
Place the plate on a flat surface
Try to place the other plate (base-down) on the other plate and watch as they repel.
How it works:
This trick works due to static electricity, which happens when you rub things together. The plate gains electrons from the cloth and becomes negatively charged. These electrons repel the electrons in the other plate.
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